National coach John Buttigieg and his assistant Carmel Busuttil named the eighteen-man squad for next Wednesday’s international friendly match against Bulgaria.
The three new players in the squad are flank defenders Steve Bezzina and Edward Herrera of Valletta and Hibernians respectively together with Birkirkara midfielder Paul Fenech.
Barnsley striker Daniel Bogdanovic will be making his first appearance for the national team since the appointment of John Buttigieg as coach.
The players selected by Buttigieg and Busuttil are:
goalkeepers Andrew Hogg (Valletta), Mario Muscat (Hibernians);
defenders Andrei Agius (SS Cassino Calcio), Shaun Bajada (Birkirkara), Steve Bezzina (Valletta), Edward Herrera (Hibernians), Brian Said (Floriana), Aaron Xuereb (Hibernians);
midfielders Gilbert Agius (Valletta), Roderick Briffa (Valletta), Clayton Failla (Sliema), Ryan Fenech (Sliema), Paul Fenech (Birkirkara), Jamie Pace (Valletta), Kevin Sammut (Valletta);
forwards Daniel Bogdanovic (Barnsley), Michael Mifsud (unattached), Ivan Woods (Sliema).
The match will be played on Wednesday 18th November at the Hibernians Ground, kick-off at 19:00. Tickets will be available at the door.
Malta vs Bulgaria will be controlled by Dutch referee Sab Nijhuis who will be assisted by Maltese officials – assistant referees Konrad Borg and Alan Camilleri and fourth official Clayton Pisani.